CELLS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
(PAGE 310)
10.7; 10.13
CELLS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL
Dry cells can be connected together into two basic types of
circuits:
series circuits and parallel circuits.
SERIES CIRCUITS
• A series circuit is when the elements in a circuit are
connected so that there is only a single pathway for the
current to flow.
• The advantage of connecting cells in series is that it
increases the electric potential (voltage) produced at the
output terminals of the batteries.
•
As the electron travels through the consecutive batteries, it
gets an additional boost of energy increasing its voltage.
•
http://www.ndt-ed.org/EducationResources/HighSchool/Electricity/seriescircuit.htm
SERIES CIRCUITS
SERIES CIRCUITS
Series: circuit is wired in one single path.
Ex: Christmas lights; If one bulb burns out, all the lights
have to be checked to find the burned out bulb.
PARALLEL CIRCUITS
• A parallel circuit is when the elements in a circuit are
connected in such a way that there is more than one pathway
for the current to flow.
• The cells are connected side by side, or in parallel, to
increase the electric charge.
• The electrons flow through only one cell before passing
through the load (resistor).
• Therefore, the electric potential (voltage) of the electron
remains the same as if there were only one cell in the circuit.
• But the duration of time the load will operate is directly related
to the number of cells in the circuit.
Parallel Circuits
Ex:* With two cells there is twice as much electric energy
available; therefore the load can operate twice as long
before running out of energy.
PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Parallel: Circuit passes through separate circuits called
branch circuits. Because each bulb is connected to
its own branch circuit, it does not affect the other
bulbs.
CELLS IN SERIES AND PARALLEL